Culture Shock

Hoop Dreams

OMG! Burning Man is right around the corner. The basement is filled with camping supplies, thousands of gallons of water and enough body paint to cover an army. But there's one very important thing missing: the ability to hula hoop. (I don't know why hooping is so important, but it seems that next to every art bike, my Burning Man-bound friends have a hula hoop.) Even if you're not a Burner, there are plenty of reasons to get those hips in motion. Really. Hula hooping helps with coordination, it makes your tummy tighter, and it makes those bobby socks and saddle shoes you're always wearing totally in style. The Rhythm Dance Lounge (4821 Central NE) offers classes every Thursday from 6:30 to 7:30 p.m. for only $10 a class. Reservations are recommended, so call 891-3748 to do just that or check out centerforcehoops.weebly.com if you're not yet convinced.

Iron Eyeliner

On the runway those tall, skinny boys and girls are posed, primped and perfect. Behind the scenes, though, fashion is a whirlwind. Clash Couture ignores the facade and instead pits designers and stylists against one another in a fashion show competition. Eight teams take one box of materials (makeup, fabric and God knows what else) and spruce their models up in the most couture manner possible. The event, which takes place at 6:30 p.m. Friday, July 16, at Wool Warehouse (516 First Street NW), is the brainchild of Josh Talamante, who teamed up with Toni&Guy Hairdressing Academy and The Art Center Design College to raise money for Art in the School—a nonprofit that supports art education in public schools. In addition to the stylin' happening, there's a silent auction of Art Center Design College student work. Hardcore fashion fans can get themselves a VIP table for four for $200; non-VIP is $10 for students and $20 for everyone else. Tickets can be procured at Toni&Guy (2122 Central SE), 306-0471 or clashcoutureabq.com. There's no special dress code for the event, but let’s do it up, shall we?

Oh, Grow Up

Sometimes adults get shy about playing with cool things they think are meant for kids. It's silly, but we've been trained to sit back and observe. Fortunately, the brainiacs at ¡explora! think that's a bunch of hogwash and invite the over-18 crowd to “Adult Night,” an evening of inner childing complete with the theme “Science of Stuff.” From 6:30 to 10 p.m. on Friday, July 16, ¡explora! (1701 Mountain NW) becomes a no-kid zone where adults can learn to manipulate metal and check out solar flares through the Albuquerque Astronomical Society's large telescopes. Admission is $7 and you can find more info at explora.us.